Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Planetary Chariots

Devanagari script

ततः शनैश्चरो ऽप्यश्वैः सबलैर् वातरंहसैः कार्ष्णायसं समारुह्य स्यन्दनं यात्यसौ शनिः //

Transliteration

tataḥ śanaiścaro 'pyaśvaiḥ sabalair vātaraṃhasaiḥ kārṣṇāyasaṃ samāruhya syandanaṃ yātyasau śaniḥ //

Translation

Then Śanaiścara (Saturn) too proceeds, having mounted an iron chariot drawn by strong horses swift as the wind.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• śanaiścaraḥ: Śanaiścara (Saturn, the slow-moving one)

• api: also/too

• aśvaiḥ: with horses

• sa-balaiḥ: strong/powerful

• vāta-raṃhasaiḥ: moving with the speed of the wind

• kārṣṇāyasam: made of iron

• samāruhya: having mounted/ascended

• syandanam: chariot

• yāti: goes/proceeds

• asau: that (well-known)

• śaniḥ: Śani (Saturn).

Speaker

• Suta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the grahas’ forms and vehicles

Entities Mentioned

• Shani
• Śanaiścara
• Syandana (chariot)

Tags

• Navagraha
• Shani
• Graha-iconography
• Jyotisha
• Stuti

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on graha-iconography, specifically Śani’s vehicle and movement.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

Indirectly, it supports dharmic life through graha-awareness: kings and householders propitiate grahas (including Śani) via stotra, dāna, and disciplined conduct to reduce obstacles and uphold orderly governance and livelihood.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it supplies an iconographic cue for Navagraha worship—Śani is visualized with an iron chariot and swift horses—useful for temple panels, Navagraha installations, and meditation during Śani-related rites.